PURRE Action Alert: Fertilizer Preemption Bill

HB 1197 ((House) / SB1952 (Senate)

Dear PURRE members,

Please consider taking action immediately our Southwest Florida water quality is once again at stake.

As you are already aware, we are facing an environmental crisis due to excessive nutrient loading in our surrounding surface waters. We initially pointed to the billions and billions of gallons discharged from Lake Okeechobee in the past few years, but also have acknowledged the nutrient loads from our own local basins. Some communities have taken the lead and have passed strict fertilizer ordinances, taking into account local conditions and needs. The leaders of those communities should be commended for their actions.

Now, at the urging of the fertilizer industry, House Bill 1197 would nullify local laws which would regulate fertilizer application. This preemptive state legislation would apply to all localities without regard to their specific environmental requirements and would put the control back to the State and the very agencies that have been poorly enforcing policies relating to our water quality in the past. The formation of yet another committee to oversee this issue controlled by the same industries and agencies that have allowed our water quality to deteriorate is simply NOT ACCEPTABLE!

Please call and/or e-mail two key people on this issue Senator Burt Saunders, who will hold a hearing on Wednesday (4/25/07) and Governor Charlie Crist. Personal letters and letters on business and organizations letterhead are needed. Please specifically state the following:

Subject: No Preemption on Fertilizer Rules

As the end of the 2007 legislative session draws near, I urge you to protect the public interest in clean water and oppose HB1197, the proposed fertilizer preemption amendment introduced by Rep. Bryan Nelson. HB 1197 seeks to strip cities and counties of their basic rights to maintain and improve water quality standards in their area.

Senator Burt Saunders (R) District 37 (Parts of Lee and Collier Counties), saunders.burt.web@flsenate.gov

Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL
32399-1100
Phone: (850) 487-5124

Governor Charlie Crist

Charlie.Crist@myflorida.com

Office of the Governor

The Capitol

400 South Monroe Street

Tallahassee, FL 32399

Phone: (850) 488-7146
Fax: (850) 487-0801

Also please click on the links below to contact other legislators in the Florida House and Senate and voice your concerns to them as well.

Florida Senate http://www.flsenate.gov/Legislators/index.cfm?Tab=legislators&CFID=34764277&CFTOKEN=90976947

Florida House http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/sections/Representatives/representatives.aspx

If you could please copy your letters to PURRE at info@purre.org

Thank you for your assistance and for your continued support,

Michael Valiquette

Chairman